logo

BEACHES AND BACKROADS SELF-GUIDED TOUR

BEACHES AND BACKROADS SELF-GUIDED TOUR image

A 4-Day Road Tour - Intermediate to Advanced

Welcome to Paradise!

The Algarve is an exceptional destination for cycle tourism. The stunning landscapes, smooth roads and fantastic gastronomy make for wonderful experiences on two wheels. The Portuguese are generous people who will go out of their way to make your time special.

This 4-day tour is a fabulous introduction to the Algarve, encompassing some of our favourite places on the coast and inland. Its designed for strong riders who are competent climbers.

You will stay in great 3-4* hotels and eat in traditional restaurants serving local dishes and wine, because we believe in supporting local businesses whenever possible. The main aim of our tours is to give our clients a glimpse of real Portugal. And this one will be no exception.

For any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out us at bookings@paradise-cycling.com.

Fiona (Director) and Grace (Self-guided tour manager)

Overview

Overview image

Overview

Arrival

Arrival image
transport icon

Arrival, orientation, meet and greet

Bem vindo a Portugal!

We will meet you in the arrivals area at Faro airport. You will then be transferred, with your luggage, to Tavira, a 45 minute drive away. If you have ordered bike hire, we will ensure that these are set up and ready at the hotel.

Tavira is a charming fishing town with an authentic old centre which you must explore. In the afternoon you might have the time for an easy spin to check the bikes and discover the area.

You could also take a boat from the marina to Tavira Island, a paradise of sandy beaches and turquoise waters. You might even see a flamingo from the boat.

Image 0
Image 1
accommodation icon

AP Maria Nova Hotel

Tavira
Check in3pm
Check out12 noon

This fabulous hotel has a great rooftop bar, delicious buffet and plenty of space to store bikes!

Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
meal icon

Dinner Recommendation

Restaurant in town

Day 1 - 82km

Day 1 - 82km image
activity icon

TAVIRA - LOULÉ

This morning you will head straight into the heart of the Serra do Caldeirão, north of Tavira. As you climb, light scrub and woodland give way to to dense forests of eucalyptus and cork oak. The air is cool and deliciously fresh.

You will be rewarded with a glorious descent to Loulé, a typical Algarve town with a great vibe, and a fab selection of bars and restaurants.

Duration

83km, 1511m+

general icon

DAY 1: ROUTE MAP

Image 0
meal icon

Recommended Cafe Stops

35km - Portela da Corcha

56km - Cachopo

accommodation icon

Casa de Campo Cantinho da Serra

Cortelha

This a fantastic rural guesthouse is typical of the interior and full of Portuguese character. You will find local produce in the handicraft shop and wine cellar, and local food in the restaurant next door.

We are good friends with the owners - they will take great care of you!

Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
meal icon

Dinner Recommendation

Casa dos Presuntos restaurant

Day 2 - 102km

Day 2 - 102km image
activity icon

CORTELHA - ALTE

Today you really are in the heart of the Algarve and even into the Alentejo! This ride takes in some of the best countryside in the region to Almodovar for lunch, on winding small backroads, through small villages with beautiful views.

You will finish the day in Alte, a traditional hillside village with sea views and tiny cobbled streets. You will love this village. Be sure to stop at Germano's bike cafe when you arrive for a coffee, cake or a beer!

Duration

89km, 1200m+

Image 0
Image 1
general icon

DAY 2: ROUTE MAP

Image 0
meal icon

Recommended Cafe Stops

50km - Almodovar

80km - Malhão

accommodation icon

Alte Tradition Guest House

Largo Jose da Graca
Check in4pm
Check out11am

This boutique guesthouse is stylish and comfortable. An evening in the hot tub as the sun sets over the whitewashed walls of the village is one you will not forget!

Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
meal icon

Dinner Recommendation

Local restaurant

Day 3 - 124km

Day 3 -  124km image
activity icon

ALTE - OLHOS DE ÁGUA

This is a fantastic long ride with plenty to see on the way. You will pass Messines (stop at Divina Docura for an coffee and pastel the nata) then past the Barragem do Funcho and into Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve.

From here it's down to the coast at Carvoiero and onto Olhos d'Agua.

You will finish at Qunita do Mel, a beautiful farm hotel. Nearby is Praia de Falesia, a stunning stretch of beach with red and gold cliffs. Take a walk here as the sun goes down.

Duration

124km, 581m+

Image 0
Image 1
general icon

DAY 3 : ROUTE MAP

Image 0
meal icon

Recommended Cafe Stops

24km - Messines

44km - Silves

61km - Carvoeiro

108km - Paderne

accommodation icon

Quinta do Mel

Quinta do Mel offers a serene escape with lush gardens and stunning views, just a short distance from the beautiful beaches of Olhos de Água. Guests can savor authentic Portuguese cuisine at the on-site restaurant, while enjoying various wellness and recreational activities. The charming rustic decor adds to the local cultural experience.
Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
meal icon

Dinner Recommendation

Farm-to-table restuarant at the hotel

Day 3 - 78km

Day 3 - 78km image
activity icon

OLHOS DE ÁGUA - LOULE

This ride will take in all the classic roads that the locals love in the heart of the Algarve. You will pass by Alte (stop at Germano of course) and then all the way up towards Barranco and down the descent via Javali. You will love this last beautiful day of riding here!

Duration

78km, 1200m+

Image 0
Image 1
general icon

DAY 3: ROUTE MAP

Image 0
meal icon

Recommened Cafe Stops

22km - Alte

47km - Barranco

accommodation icon

Loulé Jardim Hotel

Praça Manuel de Arriaga, 8100-665 Loulé

This beautiful hotel is perfectly situated on a quiet square in the centre of town. The interior is airy and green, and the rooftop pool is an added bonus.

Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
meal icon

Dinner Recommendation

Loule has a range of amazing restaurants to choose from.

Departure

Departure image

We will be sad to see you leave!

We will take you to Faro Airport in time for your flight.

Até a proxima...

transport icon

Airport Transfer

Departure
Loule
Destination
Faro Airport

Important Information

Important Information image
general icon

CLIMATE

The Algarve offers a wonderful climate for cycling most of the year around. Spring flowers in April, May and June are stunning, and September and October are also fantastic times to ride, with pleasant, settled conditions.

It is possible to get some rain in the early parts of the year (Feb-April) however this doesn’t usually last too long. Many people would find July and August rather hot to be cycling, unless you are already acclimatised.

general icon

DIFFICULTY AND TERRAIN

With an average of 85km per day and 1250m of ascent, this tour is designed for competent road cyclists with a strong level of fitness. And whilst Algarve is not flat, the roads are an absolute joy to ride and its absolutely worth it for the descents and the views.

general icon

EATING AND DRINKING

We will recommend a restaurant each evening and cafes en route for you.

We support small, local cafes and restaurants, eating where we can ‘how the locals do’. The food in interior Portugal is often more simple than on the Algarve coast, with menus regularly changing with the region and season.

All dietary requirements will be happily catered for – just let us know what you require, or what your likes or dislikes are and we will adapt our recommendations.

general icon

24/7 SUPPORT

If you book a self-guided tour, we are always on the end of the phone. This means that if you need mechanical support, want to change a booking, or anything else which may crop up on the road, our friendly (bilingual!) team are here to help

accommodation icon

Accommodation

Please note that due to availability, accommodation may vary from the hotels listed above.

Depending on your group size, we may be able to offer you a choice of hotels. Where possible we will do our best to accommodate you in small, traditional hotels and guesthouses where you will enjoy a truly unique experience each night.

Kit List

Kit List image
general icon

WHAT TO PACK!

  • Bike*

  • Inner tube, hand pump, levers, multitool*

  • Pedals

  • Helmet

  • Cycling shoes

  • Powermeter/Di2/Sram batteries/Garmin chargers as appropriate*

  • Sunglasses (including clear lenses if you have them)

  • Cycling gloves (depending on season)

  • Cycling rain jacket

  • Saddle (All of our hire bikes are equipped with a saddle, of course. However, we recommend that you bring your own if it is comfortable for you rather than spending a week sitting on a saddle that may not be suitable for you.)

  • Suitcase (see below)

  • Bib shorts, jersey, gilet, socks- minimum 4 sets.

  • Arm/leg warmers

  • Rain/wind vest

  • Base-layer (depending on season)

  • Chamois Cream

  • Rear bike light + chargers

  • Water bottles x 2 (we have bottles available to purchase).

  • Garmin/Wahoo and mount

  • Energy bars/snacks that you particularly like!

  • Regular clothes and light jacket or jumper for evening

  • Swimsuit (many of the hotels have pools or spa)

  • Evening shoes / sandals

  • Passport (Check expiry date)

  • Travel Insurance

  • Sun protection

  • USB charger

  • First aid kit

  • Toiletries

  • Cellphone and charger

  • Id or passport

  • Credit/debit card

  • Medications and prescriptions

  • Power adapter

  • Ear plugs / eye mask

  • Powerbank

info icon

If possible, bringing a hard-cased suitcase would help protect your belongings during the luggage transfers.

info icon

* If you have hired a bike you can ignore these items.

What's included?

What's included? image
general icon

2026 PRICES

ticket icon

LOW SEASON (Dec, Jan, Feb)

1-2 people €862pp

3-5 people €750pp

6-11 people €675pp

Single Supplement €110/night pp extra

ticket icon

MEDIUM SEASON (Mar, April, Oct, Nov)

1-2 people €1035pp

3-5 people €900pp

6-11 people €810pp

Single Supplement €130/night pp extra

ticket icon

HIGH SEASON (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept)

1-2 people €1265pp

3-5 people €1100pp

6-11 people €990pp

Single Supplement €150/night pp extra

general icon

INCLUDED

  • Airport transfers from Faro

  • 5 nights bike friendly accommodation

  • Buffet breakfast each day

  • Restaurant reservations each evening

  • Detailed route planning (customised to group), GPX files given in advance plus itinerary

  • Secure large luggage storage (bike boxes for example) throughout

  • Civil Liability Insurance

  • Telephone support whenever you should need it with a dedicated member of our team.

  • 5 star Service – our promise

general icon

NOT INCLUDED

  • Dinner, lunch and coffees bought at cafes en route

  • Flights

  • Transfers from airports other than Faro

  • Bike rental - see below

  • Luggage transfers - see below

  • Other costs not listed above

general icon

OPTIONAL EXTRAS ALGARVE

  • Luggage transfers + mechanical support vehicle (€300/group per riding day)

  • Luggage transfers (€110/group per riding day for groups up to 5)

  • Luggage transfers (€150/group per riding day for groups 6+)

  • Guide (€160 per guide per riding day)

transport icon

BIKE RENTAL

We have a range of rental bikes to suit different styles and budgets, including e-bikes. Below are a few examples. For full details and prices, see our website.

  • Megamo Pulse. Shimano 105 Di2. 12 speed.

  • Pinarello X. SRAM Rival AXS. 12 speed.

  • Pinarello. Shimano Ultegra. 11 speed.

  • Megamo e-Road. Bosch 800wh.

  • Upright step-through Ladies E-Hybrid

Our bike rental partners are scaled to support large group, of 40+ riders.

Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4

About Us

About Us image
We create unforgettable cycling adventures across Portugal’s most breathtaking landscapes, from the sun-drenched Algarve coast to the rolling hills of the Alentejo and beyond. Whether you're craving the freedom of a self-guided escape or the camaraderie of a fully supported tour, we combine local knowledge, seamless logistics, and a deep love of cycling to deliver an experience that's as effortless as it is inspiring. Founded by cyclists, for cyclists, we know what matters. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on the ride.

Reviews

Contact

Contact image
general icon

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Image 0
Image 1

Fiona (Founder) and Tomás (Tour Manager)

Image 0
Image 1

Sarah (Tour Manager) and Grace (Self-Guided Tour Manager)

general icon

Contact us:

Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA

Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704
RNVAT 11760

Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston +351 931325694

Connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and Strava!

Read our 200+ 5* Google reviews here.